Zachary and Kaitlyn Cantazaro of Chaska took home Chichi, one of the seized Pine River puppies, as part of Saturday’s mass adoption.

Photo provided by Animal Humane Society,

Hundreds flock to adopt abused animals

Article by: Joy Powell

Star Tribune

October 12, 2013 - 7:20 PM

Hundreds of people lined up at five metro Animal Humane Society shelters to adopt dogs seized in July from wretched conditions at a Pine River, Minn., breeding facility.

“It’s been going real well, and everybody’s been happy, and it’s been very emotional,” said Jeff Moravec, a Minnesota AHS spokesman who was at the Golden Valley shelter on Saturday afternoon. “There are a lot of people here who have fostered those dogs and cared for them and are watching them go to their new homes.”

About 75 puppies and 65 dogs were up for adoption this weekend, and more will be available in coming days, according to the Humane Society. At least 83 of the dogs had been adopted by late afternoon, amid smiles and petting.

Prospective owners swarmed kennels inside the Golden Valley shelter to see the dogs. In Woodbury, about 30 people had lined up waiting for doors to open at 10 a.m. Shelters in Coon Rapids, St. Paul and Buffalo also are adopting out the dogs and pups.

Authorities seized 29 puppies and 104 grown dogs. A number of the dogs were pregnant, leading to about 70 more puppies born in shelters. That means roughly 200 pups and dogs were among those up for adoption Saturday and in coming days, Moravec said.

Some are still receiving medical care before they can be adopted, he added.